Banks were in demand, both on the prospects for positive updates during the current reporting season and on reports that the government might ease bank liquidity rules, potentially saving them many millions of pounds

On another downbeat day for the market, hotels and pubs group Whitbread moved higher after a positive note from Credit Suisse, which speculated on a possible spin-off of the company's Costa Coffee business

Northern Foods' ready meals business has been hit by tough trading conditions, the company said in an update, but this has been offset by good performances from its sandwiches, salads and Fox biscuits divisions

Consumer products group Reckitt Benckiser has long been a stock market star, with investors attracted by its defensive qualities in a volatile world. But there are clouds on the horizon for the company, not least the forthcoming loss of its exclusive licence in the US for its suboxone and subutex drugs, used for the treatment of opiate addiction